In my quest to be a more mindful, playful and less distracted parent I do try to get down more with the kids. Now we are back in the UK there seems to be more predictability and stability but perhaps that's just me. I met a lady this week who said she was on a quest to 'feel at home wherever I am' so I'm adopting her mantra for us.

When Ellie was three she went through a particularly challenging stage so I borrowed one of Grandma Barbara's Playful Parenting books. One day out of desperation, I pretended to be a dog in an attempt to encourage her to get dressed. I got down on all fours and put the clothes in my mouth and chased her around a bit. She played along, laughed and got dressed. I felt it was quite a transformational and powerful moment for us both and from that point I saw the value of being more playful.

At bedtime, Ellie has enjoyed going upstairs with me to play with her teddies and Bobo the strange sock puppet. I have to say I've been pretty underwhelmed by them, felt a bit ackward and not quite known what to do. However, she does seem to enjoy me being with her, off my phone, computer etc and just totally 'present', and often this is a time she really opens up about things and talks to me while she plays alongside me.

We are both into Strictly Come Dancing so this week livened things up with 'Strictly Come Stuffed Toy' and it's shifted our connection again.

Each toy performs a little dance for me with Ellie co-ordinating and then I have to pretend to be the judges and give my comments and scores.

These were the judges comments after the Scorpion's Tango -

Craig Revel Horwood- Well the only good thing about about that was the ending, it was absolutely dreadful, it was all a bit legs and arms darling, I couldn't see any hip action at all. Darcey Bussell - I can see you are using claws you haven't used before, the way you used the sting in your tail was just incredible, you simply crawled on stage, you have huge potential, I loved it. Len Goodman - you had legs flying everywhere, I'm sorry but the footwork wasn't great either, you had one claw going one way and the other the opposite, and yes audience you can boo and hiss but it's my job to judge, if these guys are going to get into the semi finals then they need to do some proper work and take it more seriously. Bruno Tonioli The way you launched yourself onto the stage, you crawled across the hall like butter melting on a hot crumpet, you were magnificent, you are on fire, you have a real sting in your tail.

It's Ballroom tomorrow.

If you have any ideas for how to play with teddies then I welcome suggestions.